Willis Woods

WILLIS WOODS, deceased, was one of the early settlers of Marion County, and for many years was numbered among its most prominent citizens. A native of North Carolina, he spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that state, and was there married after attaining to mature years, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Wilbourn, also a native of North Carolina.

In the early '50s, Mr. Woods left the south and emigrated to Illinois, locating in Odin, Marion County. There he engaged in farming, successfully following agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death. He was accompanied by his family, which numbered the following children:

1. Louisa, who became the wife of John Carrighan,and made her home in Clinton County until her death;
2. John;
3. William, who died in this county, leaving a son, Silas;
4. Mary, wife of George Burge, and
5. Green, who is living in Springfield, ILL.

John Woods is now the only member of the family living in Marion County. He was born in Tennessee in 1827, and was only a year old when his parents removed to Illinois. In 1847, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine McClelland, daughter of Isaac McClelland, one of the honored pioneers of Marion County, who here located in 1820. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and was reared in the Keystone State.

After coming to the west, he married Sarah Welch, daughter of Thomas Welch, who came from Tennessee to Illinois in 1812. Her grandfather, Alexander Mc Clelland, was one of the honored heroes of the Revolution, and was killed in that struggle. Her maternal grandfather also aided the Colonies in their struggle for independence. In the family to which Mrs. Woods belonged were six children,

1. Alexander;
2. John, a resident of Oregon;
3. Rachel, wife of Thomas N. Deadman, of Marion County;
4. Catherine, the honored wife of our subject;
5. Elizabeth, wife of William Bundy, and
6. Rebecca, widow of Richard Collins.

Mr. and Mrs. Woods are the parents of five children who are yet living, and they have also lost four. Those who still survive are,

1. Florence, wife of Asa Maddox;
2. Luella, wife of William Ingram;
3. George R., who married Martha Sanders;
4. Cecelia, wife of Erastus Root, and
5. Susan R., wife of John Heyduck.

Upon their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Woods located upon the farm which has since been their home. This was an unimproved tract of land, and Mr. Woods had to perform the arduous task of developing the raw prairie. His labors, however, soon transformed it into a tract of rich fertility, and the highly cultivated fields soon began to yield to the owner a golden tribute in return for the care and cultivation he bestowed upon them. He has successfully carried on general farming throughout the greater part of his life, and by his well directed efforts has acquired a comfortable competence. His home was the first brick residence erected on Seven Mile Prairie.

In politics, Mr. Woods has always been a Democrat, but has never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 314 & 315
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer